China expresses concern over Japan’s military and nuclear developments

China warns Japan over militarisation

China has voiced serious concern over Japan’s recent military and security moves, including ambiguous statements on nuclear policy and plans for constitutional amendments.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticised Japanese officials for their recent remarks. He highlighted that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Diet this week avoided stating whether her administration adheres to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which commit Japan not to possess, produce, or permit the introduction of nuclear weapons.

"China is seriously concerned over Japan’s military and security moves recently. The Sanae Takaichi administration has been making ambiguous statements about the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and implying the possibility of quitting the principles," he said.

Lin also referenced comments by Japanese senior officials suggesting that Japan has not ruled out the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. “These fully reveal that Japan is making a major negative policy shift, which sends a dangerous signal to the international community,” he said.

The spokesperson noted that Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has publicly called for Tokyo to consider adding nuclear-powered submarines to its fleet. He also pointed to ongoing talks between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party on amending Article 9 of the Constitution, which renounces war and the use of force, and on introducing an emergency clause.

Lin linked these developments to broader concerns over Japan’s military trajectory. He recalled that during World War II, Japanese militarists’ wars of aggression and crimes against humanity inflicted untold suffering in the region and beyond. “In recent years, Japan has been drastically readjusting its security policy, increasing defense spending year after year, relaxing restrictions on arms exports, seeking to develop offensive weapons, and going further down the wrong path of military buildup,” he said.

China is seriously concerned over Japan’s military and security moves recently. The Sanae Takaichi administration has been making ambiguous statements about the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and implying the possibility of quitting the principles. Japanese senior officials even… pic.twitter.com/AxEMZTASHh

— Lin Jian 林剑 (@SpoxCHN_LinJian) November 15, 2025

He also referenced provocative remarks by Prime Minister Takaichi on Taiwan, which, according to China, imply the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait.

The spokesperson questioned whether Japan has truly renounced militarism, remains committed to a defense-oriented policy and the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, and will continue on a path of peaceful development.

Lin concluded by urging Japan to “repent for its history of aggression, stick to the path of peaceful development, stop finding excuses for its military buildup, and take concrete actions to earn the trust of its Asian neighbours and the international community.”